Brianna and Ivan are watching a ball roll down a curved track. The track has three sections: It starts with a steep downhill slope, then levels out in the middle, and ends with a gentle uphill slope. Brianna and Ivan draw a simple diagram of the track:

How does the ball's speed most likely change as it moves from section A to section B? (section A is the steep downhill slope and section A is the leveling out in the middle(stationary speed))

A. The speed increases



As the ball moves from section A (the steep downhill slope) to section B (the leveling out in the middle), its speed will **most likely decrease**.

Here's why:

- In section A, the steep downhill slope means that gravity is accelerating the ball, causing it to gain speed as it moves downhill.
- As the ball reaches section B (the flat or leveling part), there is no longer a slope to accelerate the ball, so it will begin to lose speed due to friction and air resistance, even though it's on a flat surface.

Thus, the speed would decrease as the ball transitions from a steep downhill to a flat section.

So, the correct answer is **not** A (The speed increases). The ball's speed most likely **decreases** as it moves from section A to section B.

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are some related questions:
1. What factors influence the ball's speed as it moves down the track?
2. How would the ball’s speed change if the middle section was also sloped downhill instead of flat?
3. How does friction affect the ball’s motion in the flat section?
4. What role does gravity play in the ball's acceleration on the slope?
5. If the uphill section was very steep, how would the ball's speed change there?

**Tip**: On a flat surface, friction always acts to reduce speed, even if there is no slope!

Brianna and Ivan are watching a ball roll down a curved track. The track has three sections: It starts with a steep downhill slope, then levels out in the middle, and ends with a gentle uphill slope. How does the ball's speed most likely change as it moves from section A to section B?

Explore how the speed of a ball changes as it moves from a steep downhill slope to a flat section. This problem involves key physics concepts, including gravity, friction, and the law of conservation of energy. Suitable for middle school students in Grades 6-8.

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